20 Mar 2013

Tourism Ireland in New York arranged for Noel to appear on ‘Out of Ireland’ – a weekly TV show on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS, a non-profit public TV network with about 350 member stations right across the US), highlighting the many compelling reasons for Americans to visit Fermanagh and Northern Ireland in 2013, including our world-class food.

Other ‘ambassador’ chefs from the island of Ireland who were in the US over the St Patrick’s Day period included Ian Orr (of Brown’s restaurant in Londonderry), Neven Maguire (of MacNean House in Blacklion) and Derry Clarke (of L’Ecrivain restaurant in Dublin).

Joe Byrne, Tourism Ireland’s Executive Vice President for the US and Canada, said: “Noel, and the other chefs who were in the US over the St Patrick’s period, are fantastic ambassadors for Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland and our world-class food. Food is a vital component of the tourism experience and increasingly Northern Ireland is becoming known for its cuisine, with a reputation for high quality, natural products used in both traditional and innovative dishes. The quality of our food is one of the key themes being promoted by Tourism Ireland in the US this year.”

Noel McMeel, Lough Erne Resort, Co Fermanagh (left) and Niall Gibbons, CEO of Tourism Ireland (right), were interviewed by Patricia O’Reilly for Out of Ireland (the weekly TV show on PBS).

-ENDS-

Further media information:

Clair Balmer/Elaine Moore, Tourism Ireland

Tel: 07766 527719

Notes to Editors:

•Tourism Ireland is the organisation responsible for promoting Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland overseas as a leading holiday destination.

•Tourism is responsible for in excess of 4.9% of GDP in Northern Ireland and supports approximately 40,000 jobs.